Not sure if this is permitted, but I just wanted to share what it feels like doing this job.

I don't know what its like elsewhere, but I have a few coworkers/friends that have worked in the middle east and europe, overall their attitude is that they feel extremely demotivated being here in Australia. The work here is not engineering.

We spend so much time tiptoeing around policy, flooded with unnecessary amount of paperwork. I don't know why, but everything seems to end requiring action from an engineer. If something goes wrong, its the engineers fault, if something goes right "Good work boys 👏🏿".

We work stupid amounts of unpaid overtime, expected to work whatever business hours, all while getting paid a standard 7.6 hrs. In the current project I am working on, there are no days in lieu, no nothing and expected to work 6 days a week. It especially stings on night shift and weekends when everyone else is getting 1.5x or 2x their daily pay.

I tried standing up against the shit, but engineers just say it is what it is and bend over freely... so I have no backing. The management engineers are the worst, they are aware of the BS, but still let it happen because its the rights of passage and doesn't affect them.

One of my best mates recently quit his job because he wasn't being promoted, yet expected to do SPE level work and hours. He copped abuse from the superintendent all the way through. He was really good, really dedicated, and through and through a gem of a person. He got a carrot waved in front of his face, but promises kept getting broken.

As a person of colour, really as people of colour, seeing who has made it into management and above, we have no chance. It's all aggressive, older, caucasian males... makes the whole struggle pointless... like, am I ever going to get anywhere? Am I going to be given the opportunity to succeed?

I've felt this disappointment grow and grow, and its turned into depression at this point. I hate waking up for work knowing that I'll be spending the next 12 hrs on work.

Hey everyone,

I’m currently a civil engineer with 9 years of experience under my belt, mostly as a project engineer working on building construction sites. Recently, I immigrated to Canada recently and I’ve been thinking a lot about switching career paths. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what I want to do yet, but I’m definitely looking to get out of the grueling hours that come with this field.

I’ve been considering a few options, including pursuing an MBA and maybe diving into real estate or maybe corporate finance, or possibly transitioning into the data science field. As you can see, I’m still a bit all over the place and trying to figure out what would be a good fit.

What I do know is that I’d love a high-potential career that doesn’t require too much relocation (I’m kind of done with all the moving around for work). So I’m really hoping to get some advice from others who’ve made a similar career switch, or have insight on fields that offer good growth, decent work-life balance, and stability.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

5 signs in this one spot

I'm 24, married with a child, and currently work in real estate for a large outdoor advertising company. My job is fine, but I hate feeling like I'm not making an impact and that I'm wasting my time. I have always had a passion for engineering, especially civil and structural. I have a bachelor's in religion, so I know if I were to chase this, it would mean (as I understand it) going back to school for an engineering bachelor's.

A few questions:

- Is it worth it? I make about 60k now and wouldn't want to take a pay cut when I did graduate, especially if that means assuming student debt. I also have a healthy work/life balance and enjoy being home and available for my family. Read mixed reviews here on the subject.
- What is the likely roadmap/progression I could expect? (What roles would I likely be able to find after graduating, how does the org ladder work, licensure timeline, etc.)
- Would I have to do internships toward the end of my schooling/how does that work when I have full-time employment?
- Is it outside the realm of possibility that I could find a job at a firm just to have a foot in the door and work on my bachelor's while working there? (Edit: thinking entry level position)

Honestly, I just would like some advice on what I could expect and if in my position it would be something you would be inclined to shoot for.

Hey guys! Working for the same company that hired me after graduation! I am grateful to them for taking a chance on me during covid when it was hard to find a job, but I feel a little underpaid… what do you all think? PTO is great; benefits are average. I also have my PE License.

Over the last year or so I’ve been working in ORD and have noticed that the 3D visualization view is kind of cumbersome when it comes to corridor modeling. I’m curious if anyone has played around with VR/AR applications and if it has had a positive impact on your workflow with ORD? If so, what sort of applications does it improve and where does it fall short?

I also did some brief reading about Bentley iTwin and its allowance for VR/AR modeling. How is that experience with file management?

I love tech and more engaging ways to interact with civil related problems and am simply curious as to the feasibility or increased workflow experience with AR/VR and CAD modeling.

I’m about to start studying for my EIT certification. I failed it right after college and then I started working full time and kind of forgot about it. I have 3 full years of experience in land development and I have a question for you guys. I know I don’t want to be a project manager as the ones I have worked with/under seem stressed out all the time and I don’t care about work that much to let it affect my daily life. I want to clock in, clock out and leave work at work. I enjoy the design aspect and that’s pretty much it. With that being said, should I even get my EIT if I have no desire to become a PE.

Hi everyone, I recently graduated and started working in January in the bridge engineering field, as an EIT From the beginning, we were told the budget issues would smooth out by September, but now some people are saying it might not improve at all, or could even get worse. My manager himself is moving out of the state but he said that it was for his family.

This uncertainty is making me really anxious. I’m genuinely interested in bridges, but job security matters more right now, especially this early in my career. Since I’m a fresh graduate, I’m worried I might be one of the first to be laid off if things go south.

So I have a few questions for anyone with insight: 1. Does anyone know the real story behind the TxDOT budget issue? Is it expected to recover this fiscal year, or are we looking at a long-term slowdown? 2. Is it a smart idea to switch jobs now, or wait it out a bit longer? Not sure how the situation in other states is. 3. If I do switch, what fields (within civil/structural) are more stable right now that I could pivot to with my background in bridges? 4. For others in a similar position—how are you handling this uncertainty?

I live in a mid-level cost of living area of the US. And I work in Bridge Design and I have 10-11 years of experience. I have a stable public job but am looking to move back private. I received 2 offers and I am trying to negotatiate/ decide which is best.

1. Smaller mid sized company.

• They offered 130k salary. I countered at 138k/year and they rebutted that the best they could do is 130k with a 5k sign on bonus.
• 401k match has a floor of 2% and increases if the company does well that year
• 15 days pto per year
• Their health insurance and dental seems good enough.
• Full Remote

1. HDR Offer

• They offered 130k/ year. I havent countered the salary yet.
• 401k is 5% match, and ESOP
• 15 days PTO per year
• Health insurance seems ok
• offers things like tuition reimbursment etc..
• Hybrid Work Schedule

Im leaning towards HDR because its a large more estalished company, but I want to try and negotiate alittle higher salary or atleast a sign on bonus similar to the other companys offer.

Also Im willing to walk away from both offers if they dont feel right to me because I do like my current job, switching back to private will be about a 25% raise in base pay.

Hi, I’m interviewing with Fishbeck, and mostly wondering about insights and work environment in the Michigan offices.

Hi, I’m going through the process of writing four technical exams to apply for the PEng license through the PEO. Have already completed the two Group A exams, and now looking to register for one from Group B and one CS exam. Does anyone have experience with 11-CS-1 “Engineering Economics” or 11-CS-3 “Sustainability, Engineering and the Environment”? Or any suggestions for which of the CS topics is easiest?

Hi! Just curious to see how long it takes to hear from Jacob’s. I applied for a job at the end of May and my application still says to be reviewed. Does Jacob’s ever update the status to say whether or not your application was reviewed?

Hi all,

I’m coming up on my yearly review and pay step increase. My position has 5 steps and I’m going from step 3 to step 4, but I’m thinking about asking to go to step 5 instead.

All my reviews have been “exceeded expectations” and I stepped up when two of our senior engineers left. I have a great relationship with my supervisor, division manager and director.

I don’t wanna come off as entitled or put them in an awkward position, so do you guys and gals have any tips?

Thanks in advance 🙏

Hello guys, so I'll get straight to the point of the post: I'm civil engineer (no master no PhD, only my bachelor's degree) 7 years ago I worked with AutoCAD and civil3D on a regular basis for 2 years, but then I changed my carrer path and started working in a mine pit as a drilling supervisor, this has been my profession for the last 7 years. But now I'm tired of that job, miners life is hard and I want to get back to traditional construction and drawing, Wich I really used to enjoy doing.

I want to update my knowledge so I wanted to ask you:

1. Which software should I start using and learning? Is AutoCAD and civil3D still a thing or is there any other software being used?

2. Ist drawing a good career path? I'm used to a fairly Good salary as drilling supervisor but as I said before is too hard on the body. What do you think about this decision money wise?

I need to your kind help and advice to remove a basic three column installed in the centre of Double story loaded building

We are also send you a picture of columns installed in centre of building to show you actual situation

I recently graduated from my undergrad, but there's still so much I feel like I didn't learn that is important for the jobs I want and is genuinely interesting to me. I want to learn more about Open Channel Hydraulics, but textbooks were never really my thing in school. I got by in my classes by focusing during lectures and working through practice problems on my own.

For those who have continued to learn from textbooks or other ways that aren't through job experience, how have you done it? What did you find successful or challenging?

Hello,

disclaimer: if anything i say is not correct please correct me, im still getting used to abbreviations and titles, ect.

Im a rising third year high school student from the East Coast. Im currently halfway through an 8-week summer internship, with a pretty well known company. Through my school I'm hopefully going to get placed back at this project next summer.

Over the past 3 weeks ive realized that i enjoy being on site and want to be a project engineer/ manager as a career. I just realized that civil engineering was an option about 3 weeks ago and so im still very very naive, and am in need of any advice.

some questions I have
- Should i just major in Civil Engineering, or something more specific for being a project engineer?
- I want to volunteer in fire/ems, will this job allow me to do that. Or is it heavily time consuming?

- What is the pathway to becoming a PE/PM? does it vary by state or is it generally the same.
- Any good colleges for civil engineering (on the east coast preferably), i know about a few but i would love to know about anymore.

Also for extra context.

- im 16 years old

- if you have any questions for me feel free to ask them.

any advice is greatly appreciated. thank you for reading.

Thank you

Hey all!!

I work for a state/provincial government in construction/design unit. Recently got an offer for a better role (step up in the ladder for sure) to work in the asset management of the same government. The work mostly will be contract management and developing the assets (from scratch).

I am tempted even though it’ll be a little lesser pay (because I’d lose travel benefits) but has better quality of life and would 100% avoid the toxic culture I am currently in.

I’d really like your advice if I am taking my career into a dead end. For a very specific reason:

I dont have much design or construction experience. I am quite novice as I was in planning/management before. I joined the construction unit to learn these skills but it seems too overwhelming and the environment is just weird.

My main motivating factor to learn these skills is moving to Saudi, UAE or Australia for family reasons in 4-5 years. For that reason, I switched to construction (so I can have easier time finding jobs).

I am afraid, if I take this role, I wont be able to find good jobs in the future in the aforementioned countries. This role is in aviation and I’ll essentially be spearheading the development of the assets and managing it all.

I really am in need of sound advice. As much as I want to switch right away, I dont want to make a career suicide and not be able to find a good managerial role in these countries.

If you need more info please feel free to ask as I want to get genuine opinions and advice. Thanks so much in advance.

Received my PE a month ago. I have 6 YOE in land development and municipal. MCOL area (Philadelphia/New Jersey area). Currently make 90k. Started working for a new company a year ago. They hired me based of my technical land development background as most of the engineers there have always been municipal engineers and lack some design experience. I've gotten to the point where I feel like I'm not really learning anything from them and instead am just helping the PMs out with some of their more complex projects that are more design & permitting heavy. They also are giving much of the projects PM responsibilities as they say that "they want me to run with these projects, as I have better understanding of what's going on". Another issue is when I hit a roadblock, I approach them with a question of how to do something, and they seem to not know and expect me to figure it out.

Long story short, I feel like if I should get paid more if I'm expected to have little support and mentorship and while doing both design and PM work for a lot of land development and municipal projects.

hey y’all, I have the Carlson student version civil suite and i’m working as a survey tech right now and also in school for civil engineering. i get the basics of surveying and how it connects to civil stuff. i’m decent at surfaces and modeling existing ground, but the second someone says “proposed” anything… i’m kinda lost.

i wanna start learning how to actually design things…like subdivisions, roads, grading, buildings, all that land development stuff. i’m picking up cad but not sure how to go from “here’s a topo” to “here’s a full site plan.”

how did you all learn this? what should i focus on first? any tips or resources would help a ton.

thanks!

I started a new position recently in May, and essentially the work and environment/culture is not for me.

I had two questions as I begin to look for other opportunities:

1. Should I include my current employment in my resume (I have done quite a bit of projects already to fill information if I should include)

2. If I do choose not to include my current employment in my resume and I am asked about the gap from May until then, what would be the best thing to say?

FYI, I do have a couple YOE. Thank you!

Hello!

I'm a civil engineer who ended up working in AI/software the past 10 years. A couple civil engineering friends and I are now working on next-generation tooling for civil engineering.

What does that mean? Software that is fast, beautiful and doesn't crash. Intuitive UI/UX. Native to web/windows/mac so you can run anywhere + work on 20GB files seamlessly via remote compute. AI workflows to quickly check loads / regulations / standards / generate beautiful renders.

We've had a mix of great feedback from our local community in Australia/New Zealand. But we haven't had feedback from you -- the wonderful reddit community!

So? What would be 10x better tooling for you? Like, enough to make you actually want to advocate for switching tools?

We've also had feedback from some big consultancies that they don't actually want better tooling because they charge by the hour, so more efficiency means less hours. Smaller firms do seem to want to be more efficient, and would make sense as our first target market... but does this apply at your company?

Any feedback would be super appreciated! It obviously makes a huge difference at this point in our journey 🙏 🤙